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South Orange-Maplewood School District

A District That Celebrates

Pre K

Tools of the Mind (TOM) Pre-K Curriculum

June 8, 2021 By Communications

TOM“You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

View or Download Preschool Tools of the Mind Curriculum Overview

The South Orange-Maplewood School District’s commitment to offering access to a high-quality preschool experience is demonstrated by its plan to expand its pre-K program with the support of the New Jersey State Department of Education (NJDOE) and in partnership with local preschool program providers. View the District's Preschool partner sites.

We appreciate the community’s interest in the program, and we recognize our families’ eagerness to register our three- and four-year-old students (as of October 1, 2020). Information regarding registration is discussed above in the newsletter section “2020-21 Registration” and can be accessed via the district’s website click here. At this time, we are delighted to offer an insight into Tools of the Mind (TOM), the developmentally appropriate curriculum currently in place in our pre-kindergarten program [Click here to download or view the Tools of the Mind Curriculum Overview].

Aligned with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, TOM is a comprehensive curriculum that presents content in an integrated manner.  Its instructional strategies reflect a combination of student-initiated activities, explicit instruction, individualization through multiple levels of scaffolding (problem-solving through teacher modeling followed by increasingly independent student practice), and the ongoing use of multiple assessment data.  These varied but cohesive approaches respond to the diverse needs of our students. Student growth is monitored as part of the daily routine of the classroom. The GOLD tool, an observation-based assessment system by early childhood education resource company Teaching Strategies, supports this aspect of the implementation of TOM. Progress reports are shared with parents/guardians three times per year, and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year.

One key characteristic that sets TOM apart from other curriculum models is the intentional focus on our students’ development of both cognitive and social-emotional self-regulation at the same time that literacy and mathematical skills are introduced.  Self-regulated learning is embedded into all activities. Teachers use strategies to help children improve the quality of their dramatic make-believe play so that it promotes self-regulation development. Research-based instructional activities are designed to teach self-regulation and reflective thinking. Classroom management techniques maximize time-productive interactions and task involvement, and most learning takes place in small groups or as partnered activities, engaging children in interaction with one another to learn, build social relationships, and create a positive sense of community.

Field trips provide students with valuable background knowledge that enhances make-believe play themes, as well as provide rich cultural experiences and a connection with the immediate community. Administrators, teachers and support staff participate in comprehensive required training, and the program’s Master Teacher supports teacher professional growth and curriculum implementation.

Parents sometimes focus on their children’s acquisition of basic letter and number recognition or pre-reading skills in isolation, but the instruction of young children optimally encompasses a lot more.  Collectively, families and schools succeed best when aligning their efforts to focus on the development of the whole child and all the skills and strengths each child has developed.

Thank you for your interest in the program, and for entrusting your children to a dedicated team of teachers, administrators, support staff and specialists.

 

June 8, 2021 Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Pre K, Preschool, Tools of the Mind

Special Services Update: What is I&RS/PIRT?

November 6, 2019 By Communications

What is I&RS/PIRT?

I&RS / PIRT

The importance of a strong partnership between schools and families to educate children is a critical component of a child’s education, particularly in today’s complex and demanding global society. Neither educators nor parents are afforded the time to get to know one another and to establish a mutually supportive relationship on behalf of children. To this end, each school has established one or more I&RS or PIRT Teams.

I&RS or PIRT is a school based problem-solving team for general education students intended as a primary way in which general education teachers or specialists can assist a student who is at-risk within the general education environment.

I&RS or PIRT process is not intended to replace traditional methods or resources for helping students to function effectively in school. Rather, I&RS or PIRT exists primarily to focus on particular concerns using available resources within the general education environment. I&RS or PIRT affords schools a structure to meet the academic, behavioral, health, enrichment, and social-emotional needs of all students

At the Pre-School level, the role of the PIRT Specialist is to coach teachers on social/emotional development using the Pyramid Model for Social and Emotional Competence in Infants & Young Children, help plan interventions and provide professional development. To this end, the role of PIRT is to help teachers modify children’s challenging behaviors (i.e. physical, social, language, emotional) that block successful participation in a general education preschool classroom through development and implementation of action or intervention plans.

Along with the PIRT Specialist, the PreK Master Teacher’s role is to coach classroom teachers on curriculum implementation and best practices, and to facilitate professional development that addresses all areas of our children’s development.

For additional information, you may access the brochure that describes the I&RS and PIRT process and you will find contact information in each of our schools. Intervention and Referral Services brochure.

Dr. Laura Morana, Interim Assistant Superintendent Special Services

November 6, 2019 Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: early intervention, Pre K, pre-school, Preschool Intervention and Referral, Special Service

Universal Preschool Program – Registration Update

July 24, 2019 By SOMSD Webmaster

The South Orange and Maplewood School District’s universal preschool program continues to maintain a wait list for children seeking to attend the District’s program. Subsequently, the District has temporarily suspended all appointments for those wishing to submit and finalize applications for the universal preschool program. Please click here for additional information.

July 24, 2019 Filed Under: District News, Registration Tagged With: Pre K, Registration, Universal Pre School

South Orange-Maplewood School District

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Address & Contact Info

525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office: (973) 762-5600

District Title IX Information

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator
525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District HIB Coordinator
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Ms. Robin Curry
Confidential Secretary to the Asst. Supt., Access & Equity
e: rcurry@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1822

More HIB Information

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The South Orange & Maplewood School District is committed to making our content accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities. This includes parents, students, employees, and all others associated with our district. If you need assistance in accessing materials on the district website or you would like to provide feedback or file a complaint about the website, please email the webmaster.

Our Mission

The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

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